Dian Fossey Grave Site Hike takes you to the grave site of Dian Fossey and showcases her life in the forests of Virunga. Dian Fossey was an American Primatologist and anthropologist who committed her life to the conservation of mountain gorillas by conducting an 18 year comprehensive study about this remarkable ape.
Dian Fossey is portrayed in the award winning Gorillas in the Mist, a 1988 American drama film directed by Michael Apted and starring Sigouney Wear. Her anti-poaching patrols led to the arrest of many poachers who were sentenced to jail and some are still serving their sentences. Unfortunately, she was murdered in 1985 in her tent at her research institute by unknown murders where she was found lying in a pool of blood in the early morning of December 27, 1985.
She is buried at Karisoke, in a site that she herself had constricted for her deceased gorilla friends. She was buried in the gorilla graveyard next to Digit, and near many gorillas killed by poachers. Memorial services were also held in New York, Washington, and California.
Dian Fossey Grave Site Hike is a tribute to her great work of protecting mountain gorillas which today are still existing and your able to come and see them. After your gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, it is very advisable to go for the tomb hike the day after.
Trekking to the Dian Fossey Tomb is one of the most sought-safari activities while visiting Volcanoes National Park for a gorilla trip.
For visitors interested in visiting Dian Fossey’s original scientific base Karisoke, a trek is a available from the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters. Karisoke Scientific base was established by Dian Fossey in the saddle area between two volcanoes: Mt. Visoke and Mt. Karisimbi (from which the name Karisoke is derived). The camp site stands at an altitude of around 3,000m (over 9000 ft) and was abandoned during the unrest of the 199s. All that remains today is the graveyard where several of Dian Fossey’s favorite gorillas were buried. Also, Dian Fossey is buried near the graves of her beloved gorillas.
At the site you will find the house from where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985 but the more peaceful is the place where she was buried just next to her favorite gorilla friend, Digit and about 20 other mountain gorillas either killed by poachers or suffered death for other reasons.
Dian Fossey Grave Site Hike Experience
The trek starts at 07:00 am from the Park Headquarters in Kinigi, from where you will be driven to the starting point for the trek. The trek involves a 30 minute drive from the park headquarters to the trail head to access the Karisoke Research Camp where visitors walk for 10 minutes to the park boundary.
The walk from the park boundary to the research center where the Dian’s grave is, take about an hour to 1 hour and a half and offers good views of forest hogs, forest elephants, a variety of primates and bird species. The trek to the Karisoke Research Centre/Camp takes around 3-4 hours and takes you through some of the most beautiful stretches of Hagenia – Hypericum forest in the Volcanoes National Park.
The hike is an incredible experience physically, emotionally and intellectually. Also, it is so inspiring to learn about someone who was so dedicated and left a legacy that exists even today. The hike involves moving through the forests and hiking up the slopes and therefore requires some relative degree of fitness and patience.
Dian Fossey Grave Site Hike Permit Fee
| Visitor Category | Fee for Adult | Fee for Student / Child |
| Foreigner | $ 75 | – |
| Foreign resident in Rwanda | $ 60 | $ 45 |
| Rwandan citizen | RWF 4000 | RWF 2000 |
| East African citizen | $ 55 | $ 45 |
| East African Foreign resident | $ 65 | $ 45 |
Requirements
- Reporting times to the Visitor Information/registration Centres at Park Entry is 0700 in the morning
- Foreign Residents in Rwanda and East African countries need to have a minimum of four consecutive month’s residency status/work permit in their passport or diplomatic card to qualify for the Rwandan/East African Foreign resident status.
- A Diplomat who has a Residence Visa can be allowed to use the applicable resident rates for his spouse and legally accepted children even if the spouse and legally accepted children do not have the resident visas (reside outside of Rwanda).
- Reporting East African residents need to provide EAC ID Cards or Passports
- Tourists with one Rwandan Parent and tourist with a Rwandan spouse will be considered as Rwandan as long as Immigration and Emigration Director General confirms it.
Restrictions
The minimum age for Dian Fossey Tomb Hike is 15 years.